POLOKWANE – The 40-year-old mother of three, from from Montiti village in Moletjie, quit her job at a leading financial institution to take care of her son Thato, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018. She said it was not an easy decision given the state of the economy and high unemployment rate, but she could not sacrifice her son’s wellness.
“Thato was born in 2012 and diagnosed with leukemia at the age of six. By that time I had just given birth again and it was difficult to take care of two children who both needed all of my attention while I still had to work.” She said Thato could not go to school due to the severity of the illness.
“His nose was constantly bleeding, he could not talk and he lost his vision. When I took him to the provincial hospital’s oncology ward, I had to be there for the duration of his treatment. It was difficult to balance both work and caring for him and so I had to resign because he needed parental care and love.”
Renielwe said it is not easy for parents in rural areas to accept that their children have cancer due to societal beliefs. “Most parents in rural communities believe that their children are bewitched and that is not the case. Parents who have children with cancer have to be strong. They must listen to the doctors and support their children. It is not easy, but unfortunately that is the route we have to take.”
She also pleaded with the authorities to create awareness and educational programmes about childhood cancer in communities and schools. Renielwe said her son is in remission and responding well. “He is in school and I am happy. I am employed again at a retail shop in the city. The salary is not the same as my previous job’s salary, but it is better than nothing.”
